POLICE have appealed for witnesses to help find three "bungling criminals" who botched a Blackburn supermarket robbery in front of scores of shoppers.

DC Mark Lee said three men fled empty-handed after trying to rob a security guard who was taking money from Tesco, on Hill Street, between 8.30pm and 8.45pm on Thursday.

One man ran up to the Securicor officer and tried to kick his box out of his hand while near the front entrance, but after failing he ran off with another man to a waiting red VW Golf, which drove off.

Although the police do not have a description of the driver, the other two are described as white, mid to late 20s, with one wearing a black top and baseball cap and the other an orange jacket or possibly a green combat jacket.

DC Lee said they had also failed to notice the guard was picking money up to put in his van, so the box was empty anyway. But he said he still wants people to come forward because of the daring nature of the incident and the likelihood they may do it again.

"They had watched the guard walk into the supermarket and come out with money before dropping it off in the van. Then for some reason they made their move while he was on his way back in.

"They did this at quite a busy time and there were plenty of shoppers around so we would like people to come forward and help us track these three down.

"It sounds funny because they messed up and are bungling criminals but they did in front of lots of people and may do it again."

Anyone with information should call DCs Lee or Hurst on 01254 353563 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.